Hello! It has been 12 years or so since I've worked with leather. I was a better craftsman than a businessman so I had to close a shop and go to "work for a living"
I started out in the early 80's working for Eli Rios when he was with Longhorn Boot Company in the Valley! After nearly 8 years as a pro rodeo bull fighter, I retired from the arena! I then started making Rodeo Chaps here in Central Texas.
I was hired by the Movie "8 Seconds" and got my name in the credits as one of the "chapmakers" That was great advertising!!! I was also one of the first people in the country to make a bull riding vest! I also did work for the movie "All the Pretty Horses" Although my contract didn't include any "credit listings" That's where I get the "famous" from lol
Again had I been a better businessman thinks might have been different! I soon began collecting Singer Sewing Machines and then I started Making Saddles! I was pretty good at it too from what I remember! My biggest problem was I was too busy making stuff I wanted to do, and not what I needed to do to make money...
Well now I am going to get back into the trade as a hobby only... Yes I will "charge" for what I do, but it won't be to make a living, but to make extra money just to put back into the craft!
I currently Haul Heavy and Oversized equipment and I have a lot of free time between loads! I was racing off road, but this was expensive, and I have "been there done that"! I will still race but just not as much! (TEN races this year as far away as California Arizona and New Mexico!
Well there's a little bit about me!
David Mills
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.257246370973038.69861.100000630308869&type=3
not sure if this link will work or not?
